Tape dispensing and cutting device



July 8, 1958 c. w. VOGT TAPE DISPENSING AND CUTTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 30, 1955 INVENTOR. Q/ fl/YQ W V067 BY 18, 1958 c. w. VOGT 2,842,201

TAPE DISPENSING AND CUTTING DEVICE Filed June 30, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Y QflQj/YCZWVdT B I WWEAQW 7 2,842,201 TAPE DISPENSING AND CU'ITING DEVICE Clarence W. Vogt, Weston, Conn.

Application June 30, 1955, Serial No. 519,072

Claims. (Cl. 164-845) This invention relates to devices for dispensing and cutting adhesive tapes, such as pressure-sensitive cellulose, fiber and plastic base tapes and it relates more particularly to improvements in tape cutting and dispensing devices of the type to be attached to a roll of adhesive tape, or used in a desk type of tape holder.

In the production of tape dispensing devices of the type which are given away or packaged with a roll of tape such as Scotch tape or the like, it is highly desirable to provide a device which is easily-threaded with the tape as a part of the manufacturing and packaging operation so as to keep this phase of the manufacturing operation as inexpensive as possible. Moreover, it would be desirable to provide means in the tape cutting and dispensing device for preventing separation or disengagement of the roll of tape from the cutting device when they are removed from the package and put in use.

In accordance with the present invention, I have provided a tape cutting and dispensing device which includes means for facilitating the insertion of the end of a roll of tape into the device thereby making it possible to assemble a roll of tape and a cutting device quickly and with a minimum of manual dexterity. Moreover, I have provided in the new dispensing and cutting device a snubbing means whereby the projecting free end of the roll of tape is gripped and retained to prevent separation of the roll of tape from the dispensing and cutting device but, nevertheless, enabling free withdrawal of the tape from theroll for dispensing portions thereof. In addition, the snubbing means includes as a part thereof a surface which facilitates easy rotation of the roll of tape and also provides an unobstructed surface by means of which the tape can be bent back on itself and secured to the roll thereby to attach the dispensing and cutting device firmly to the roll when the device is not in use.

The provision of the above-noted features of the present invention enables the loading of the device with a roll of tape to be accomplished quickly and inexpensively as a part of a production cycle and the tape retaining means enables the assembled package to be handled during normal shipping or periods of use and storage therebetween without danger of disengagement of the roll from the cutting and dispensing device.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a typical tape cutting and dispensing device embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the tape dispensing and cutting apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a view in section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a cutting blade of the type used in the cutting and dispensing device shown in Figs. 1 to 3;

Fig. '5- is a perspective view of a tape snubbing element of a kind used in the tape cutting and dispensing device disclosed in Figs. 1 to 3;

Patented July 8, 1958 Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are perspective views of a portion of a modified formof snubbing bar illustrating the manner in which the end of a roll of tape is inserted in the tape cutting and dispensing device;

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are views in longitudinal section through a modified form of tape cutting and dispensing device illustrating the cutting and snubbing operation of the device;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the cutting blade for the device disclosed in Figs. 9 to 11; and

Fig. 13 is a view in'cross-section through the snubbing member and support therefor of the device shown in Figs. 9 to 11.

As indicated above, a tape dispensing and cutting device has been provided which is particularly adaptable.

for use directly with a roll of adhesive tape to be packaged with the tape as a give-away or low cost cutting and dispensing device. number of different configurations of which the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5 is typical. As shown therein, the device includes a frame 10 formed of a pair of side plates or sidewalls 11 and 12, joined by means of a plurality of cross members 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 to be described in greater detail herein. As best shown in Fig. 3, the cross bars 13 and 14 are at the lower edges of elongated extensions 11a and 12a of the sidewalls while the cross bars 15, 16 and 17 extend between generally squarish portions 11b and 12b of the sidewalls.

A roll of tape T is adapted to be received with at least a portion of its edge between the sidewalls 11 and 12.

A cutting device 18 is mounted on the cross bar 16, the latter forming a pivot shaft and camming member for the cutter. As shown in Fig. 4, the cutter is a strip of spring metal including a semi-cylindrical portion 18a rotatably receiving the pivot member 16 and having outwardly converging arms 18b and 18c thereon. The arm 18c is extended in a reversely curved direction to form a blade 18d having a pointed outer end 18e and converging edges 18 and 18g. The side portions of the blade are also bent out of the plane of the blade to stiffen it and to facilitate the cutting action of the blade. The blade as a whole is, however, resilient and grips the pivot member 16 resiliently so that its irregular or camlike cross-section will normally tend to hold the blade against free pivoting movement.

On the opposite arms 18b of the blade and adjacent to the semi-cylindrical portion 18a is a raised rib or corrugation 18h which cooperates with a resilient snubber 19 shown in Figs. 3 and 5 mounted on the crossbar 15.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the crossbar is generally of T- shaped cross-section and supports the snubbing member 19 on its cross-head 15a. The snubbing member 19 is formed of spring metal or springy plastic and includes a snubbing head portion 19a joined to the upper end of a plate 1% that rests against the head 15a of the bar 15. The plate portion 19b has a reversely bent end 19d which engages the lower edge of the head 15a of the T-shaped bar 15. An inwardly and downwardly curved portion 1% is lanced out of an upwardly extending concave por-- tion of the plate 19b and engages the opposite end of the head of the T-shaped bar 15, as shown in Fig. 3. The arrangement of the springy flanges 19c and 19d is such that a flattened portion 19a of the snubbing head portion normally bears against the lower snubbing edge of the cross or snubbing bar 17 and cooperates therewith to resiliently grip a portion ofthe tape which is peeled off of the roll T. The pressure of the surface 19a is regulated by suitably stressing the curved portion 190 of the snubber. However, upon tension being exerted on the end of the tape drawing it away from the roll, the

spring}! snubbing element 19 can be deflected inwardly to K The device may take any of a release and allow relatively free movement of the tape. Such movement is facilitated by reason of the fact that the snubbing element 19 has a smooth surface against which the non-tacky or non-adhesive surface of the tape slides. Moreover, the tension on the tape draws the roll of tape T against. the flange 19b which also has a smooth surface and thus enables easier rotation of the roll.

The springy nature of the snubbing element 19 will tend to cause it to grip the tape when the tension on the end of the tape is relieved so that the end of the strip of tape cannot back out from between the snubbing bar 17 and the snubber 19, if the dispensing device should be in verted or positioned so that the weight of the roll T is suspended fromthe. frame 10.

Cutting of the tape is greatly facilitated if the tape on both sides of the cutting edge is maintained under ten- 'sion. Tension is maintained on the tape during the cutting operation of the present device by pressure of the cutting device 18 against the snubbing element 19. Thus, the rib 1811 on the cutting device is adapted to engage a downwardly bent flange 19f formed at the end of a rearwardly extension 19 from the upper edge of the snubber portion 19a so that when the blade 18 is moved in a clockwise diretcion by pressure of the tape thereon, the rib 18h engages the flange 19f and thereby forces the snubbing surface 19a against the tape and the latter against the lower snubbing edge of the bar 17. The snubber 19 also serves to lock the blade 18 on its pivot 16. The end flange 19f overlaps the rib 1811 so that the blade cannot be detached until the snubber is released from the bar 15.

The bar 17 is of unique formation in that it has a notch or slot extending upwardly from its lower edge, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 or the slot 26' can extend completely through the bar 17 as shown in Figs-6, 7 and 8. This slot is provided to enable the lengthwise folded end of the strip of tape to be threaded through the slot. Usually, a roll of adhesive tape such as Scotch tape 'has a paper ta-b T on the end to facilitate the location of the end of the tape. The tab T as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 is folded along thelongitudinal center line of the tape and can then be passed through the slot 20' until it is disposed below the cross bar 17'. Pulling of the tape in the direction of the arrow will then spread and flatten out the following portion of the tape and dispose it be low the bar 17' ready for a dispensing operation. To facilitate spreading of the tape the edges of the bar 17 at the lower end of the slot are filleted or rounded.

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate the action of the cutting and snubbing device in greater detail with a slightly modified form of apparatus in which the bar 13 and elongated extensions 11a and 12a are omitted. In this apparatus, the frame may be the same as the frame 10 Fig. l, but as illustrated it has generally oval shaped side plates 30a and, as illustrated, four cross bars 31, 32, 33 and 34. The cross bar 32 serves as a pivot for the blade while the cross bar 34 serves as the upper snubbing member and is also provided with a central slot 36 to admit the tape therethrough.

A snubber 37 is mounted on the cross bar 33 and the cross bar 31 serves as a stop for the cutting arm 35a of the blade 35. The blade 35 diflers somewhat from the blade 18 in that the blade 35 has a straight tongue 35]) struck out of it near the hub portion 350 thereof and extending toward the blade, whereas the blade 18 has a tongue 18 having an upwardly bent end thereon. These tongues serve to prevent the tape from snapping down into and adhering to or bunching up in the back of the blade after the tape is cut.

The snubbing element 37 shown in Figs. 9 to 11, differs from the snubbing element 19 in that the actuating nose or lug 37a thereon is bent toward the blade 35 rather than outwardly and then inwardly as in the case of the nose 19f on the snubbing device 19. As shown in 4 Figs. 9, l0 and 11, when a strip of tape is to be dispensed and cut, it is pulled in the direction of the arrow as shown in Fig. 9, thereby slightly deflecting the snubbing member 37 and allowing tape to slide over it. The tape is pulled down against the end of the blade 35 which causes the blade to be rotated and sprung in a clockwise direction toward the stop 31 as shown in Fig. 10. At the same time, the tab 35d engages the nose 37a on the snubber and forces it in a counterclockwise direction to snub the length of tape between the snubber 37 and the lower edge of the cross bar 34. As the tape is pulled downwardly, it will be seen that the flight of tape between the cutting edge of the blade and the snubbing element 37 is tensioned as is also the section of the tape outwardly of the cutting edge so that the tape is tensioned on both sides of the cutting edge of the blade. A part of the tensioning is due to the movement of the end of the blade away from the'snubbing elements and another part is due to actual projection of the blade to the right as viewed in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 as it bends. The end of the blade actually moves outwardly from the axis of the bar 32 during a cutting operation. It has been found that maintenance of tension on both sides of the blade enables the blade to pierce and sever even strong fiber glass or plastic base tapes that are used for repairing and electrical insulation and other purposes. When the tape is severed, the spring action of the cutting blade snaps it in a counterclockwise direction thereby bending the projecting end of the tape back wardly over the outer face of the bar 34 and positioning it adjacent to the outer periphery of the roll of tape. By merely pressing the projecting end of the tape against the roll, it will adhere thereto and will secure the cutting and dispensing device firmly to the roll of tape until it is ready for further use.

It will be understood that tape dispensing devices of the type described can be used with desk type holders as described in my copending application Serial No. 465,903, filed November 1, 1954, or that it can be in the form of a small readily attachable and discardable element which is furnished with a roll of electricians tape or the like.

The type of material of which the holder can be made may be varied widely but I have found that synthetic plastics are most suitable because they can be molded cheaply to produce the frame as essentially a one-piece unit.

In view of the modifications possible in the form and arrangement. of the device, it will be understood that the specific forms of the invention disclosed herein are illustrative and-should not be considered as limiting the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A tape dispensing and cutting device comprising a frame having spaced side walls to receive thercbetween at least the edge portion of a roll of adhesive tape, a bar extending between said side walls and having a snubbing surface to engage one side of said tape as it is unwound from said roll, said bar having a slot therein substantially perpendicular to said surface for receiving the end of said tape when said end is folded lengthwise to facilitate insertion of the tape into said frame, a cutting blade pivotally mounted in said frame on an axis transverse to said frame, a snubber mounted in said frame for movement toward and away from said snubbing surface, means normally biasing said snubber toward said snubbing surface to grip the tape therebetween, and motion-transmitting means on said snubber and said cutting blade for urging said snubber toward said snubbing surface when said tape is pressed against said cutting member to maintain the tape between said snubber and said cutting blade under tension during cutting of said tape.

2. A tape dispensing and cutting device comprising a frame having spaced side walls, to receive therebetween the edge of a roll of adhesive tape, a bar extending between said side walls and having a snubbing surface to engage one side of said tape as it is unwound from said roll, said bar having a slot therein substantially per.- pendicular to said surface to admit said tape therethrough to facilitate threading it through said frame, a support said cutting member under tension during cutting of said tape.

3. A tape dispensing and cutting device comprising a frame having spaced side walls, to receive therebetween the edge of a roll of adhesive tape, a bar extending between said side walls and having a snubbing surface to engage one side of said tape as it is unwound from said roll, a support in said frame spaced from said bar, a resilient snubber mounted on said support and resiliently engaging said tape to press it against said surface, said resilient snubber being deflected away from said snubbing surface by tension exerted on said tape to unwind it from said roll, a cutting member movably mounted in said frame and having means thereon engageable with said snubber to force the latter toward said snubbing surface upon engagement of said tape with said cutting member to maintain the tape between said snubber and said cutting member under tension during cutting of said tape.

4. A tape dispensing and cutting device comprising a frame having spaced side walls to receive therebetween the edge of a roll of adhesive tape, a snubbing bar extending between said side walls and having a first surface to engage the periphery of said roll and a second surface to engage tape unwound from said roll, a support in said frame spaced from said snubbing member, a snubber having resilient arms detachably engaging said support, and urging a portion of said snubber into tape gripping relation with said snubbing member, one of said arms having a smooth surface engageable with said roll to facilitate its rotation, and a cutting member between said side walls for severing tape drawn between said surface and said snubber to maintain the tape between said snubber and said cutting member under tension during cutting of said tape.

5. A tape dispensing and cutting device comprising a frame having spaced side walls to receive therebetween at least the edge portion of a roll of adhesive tape, a snubbing bar extending between said side walls and having a surface to engage one side of said tape as it is unwound from said roll, said bar having a slot therein substantially perpendicular to said surface for receiving the end of said tape when said end is folded lengthwise to facilitate insertion of the tape into said frame, a cutting blade pivotally mounted on said frame on an axis transverse to said frame for cutting said tape, a snubber mounted in said frame for movement toward and away from said snubbing surface, means normally biasing said snubber toward said snubbing surface to grip the tape therebetween to grip said tape and maintain the tape between said cutting blade and said snubber under tension while said tape is being cut.

6. A tape dispensing device comprising a frame having spaced apart side walls, a snubbing bar between said side walls to engage one surface of a strip of tape, a support extending between said side walls, a snubber detachably mounted on said support, said snubber including a strip of resilient material having a curved portion adjacent to said snubbing member and resilient arms engaging said support and biasing said curved portion into tape-gripping relation to said snubbing member.

7. The device set forth in claim 6, in which said snubber comprises a strip of spring metal bent transversely to form said curved portion and substantially parallel arms, said arms having laterally bent portions thereon to engage said support and retain said snubber thereon.

8. A tape dispensing and cutting device comprising a frame having spaced apart side walls, a snubbing bar between said StldC walls to engage one surface of a strip of tape, a support extending between said side walls, a snubber including a strip of resilient material having a curved portion adjacent to said snubbing bar and resilient arms engaging said support and biasing said curved portion into tape-gripping relation to said snubbing bar, a cutting element movably mounted in said frame and having a portion engageable with said snubber to urge said curved portion thereof toward said snubbing bar in tighter tapergripping relation thereto to maintain the tape between said snubber and said cutting element under tension during cutting of said blade.

9. The device set forth in claim 8, in which said snubber comprises a strip of spring metal bent transversely to form said curved portion and said arms, the latter having laterally bent portions thereon to engage said support and retain said snubber thereon. 10. A dispensing and cutting device for adhesive tape, comprising a frame, a transverse portion forming a snubbing surface adapted to engage the adhesive side of the free end of a roll of tape and resilient snubber means extending transversely thereof, and normally urged toward said snubbing surface to grip the tape therebetween as it is unwound from such roll, said transverse portion having a passageway therethrough extending. outward from said snubbing surface, whereby the end of adhesive tape from such roll when folded lengthwise and introduced through said passageway with its edges toward the snubber will, when pulled, readily be flattened out against said snubber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,432,367 Stone Oct. 17, 1922 2,344,340 Adams Mar. 14, 1944 2,400,776 Nordeen et al. May 21, 1946 

